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April 13, 1937. T, D ADA@ 2,077,086

METERING MECHANISM Filed May 8, 1954 5 Shee'S-Sheel'I l ,619/ f7 l' fr f7 6:3 ffy. ff v 7 l @pe/25077.- 57) l Www/@0 Omg April 13, 1937o T. D, ADA|R 2,077,086

METERING MECHANISM Filed May 8, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 l Q 6] w l@ Wat/41 [A 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 T. D. lADAIR Filed May 8. 1934 METERING MECHANISM April 13, 1937.

' By Macaw/,EM WAP/zx( Patented Apr. 13, 1937 UNHTED STATES PATENT FFCE METERING MEHANISM Application May 8, 1934, Serial No. '724,514

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in means for repeating the movements of a delicate instrument in a larger and more powerful instrument. The special object of the present invention is to provide means for causing the movements oi a rotating pointer with relation to a scale oi a thermometer of the laminated metal type to be duplicated with relation to a scale on another signboard of larger size and diierent location and adapted for use as a large signboard thermometer. The mechanism, however, is adapted to repeat the readings in other manner than by a rotating pointer in relation to a scale to indicate temperature, that is, the pointer may operate on a track, vertically, horizontally or in any other direction. The indications may also be made with a roller curtain having indicating numbers printed thereon which can be presented at an opening in a dial.

Furthermore, the apparatus can be used for repeating the indications of instruments other than thermometers, such for instance .as barometers, steam gauges, etc. it can be used for operating a valve at a distance and securing a desired amount of valve opening.

When the invention is embodied in a thermometer the repeating mechanism is, brieily as follows: A thermometer of the pointer type is preierably Used, in the particular case herein described the pointer being actuated by a bi-metallic coil. The pointer may .also be operated by expansion of gases or liquids enclosed in a Bourdon tube or in a bellows. The pointer is connected to an electrical circuit and, according to conditions, is adapted to Contact with one or the other of two contact points which are carried by a movable arm operating concentrically with said pointer and actuated by a gear train connected with .an electric motor. A relay is used in the circuits of each contact point for the purpose of obtaining a deiinite movement of the moving arm after each contact is made and for amplifying the primary current. rihis definite movement is for two purposes, rst, to save the Contact points from continued arcing, and second, to make a definite measured movement which is to be repeated in a repeating mechanism. Under certain conditions the pointer will be out of contact with both of said two contact points.

In this particular embodiment of the invention a gear train is provided with two synchronous motors oi clockwise `and Counterclockwise rotation which will operate one gear of the gear train at one revolution per minute. However, any type of motor other than synchronous may be used.

To this gear, which operates at one revolution per minute, an arm is attached which will operate to stop the movement of the moving arm by breaking the electrical circuit through which the motor functions. This breaking mechanism will be described later. From the stage in the gear train where the circuit breaking mechanism is located, there is a continuation of gearing that reduces the movement of the moving arm which carries the contacts before mentioned, to an amount equal to a degree of temperature on the scale of the controlling thermometer. This movement may be more or less than one degree if desired, the gearing selected being the controlling actor. The relay previously mentioned closes the circuit when a contact is made, and it is so wired that the circuit will remain closed after the motor starts and the initial contact at the pointer is broken, and continues to remain closed until the circuit breaker operates.

The above mechanism operates as follows: Assuming that the temperature is rising, then the primary thermometer pointer which is of electric conducting material will Contact with an electric Contact on the moving arm, thereby closing an electric circuit which includes a relay, a circuit breaker and a motor. The motor revolves and through the gear train the movable arm starts to move. The initial Contact will be broken almost immediately but the relay will remain closed through a shunt circuit, and the motor will continue to revolve until the mechanical breaker opens the shunt circuit. The pointer will then be between the two moving contacts but not touching them. The circuit through one contact oi the moving arm operates the clockwise motor, and the circuit through the other contact operates the counter-clockv-Jise motor, both motors being on the same shaft which operates the gearing. The above describes the controlling mechanism.

There is provided a repeating mechanism as follows: The control mechanism without the thermometer but with the moving arm, which will not require contacts, can be made to serve as a repeater it the motors and gearing are made to operate through a cycle which is of less time duration than the controlling mechanism. The relays of the control mechanism start a cycle of operations in the control mechanism, one of which operations is to make an electrical contact which starts a cycle of operations in the repeat mechanism.

The repeat mechanism is preferably geared to operate in a shorter period of time than the control mechanism so that its cycle of operation will be concluded before the control mechanism com- 'pletes its cycle. The reason for this is to have the repeat mechanism ready to start a new cycle if the control mechanism follows the cycle with another immediately after completing the rst cycle.

Breaker mechanism Y The breaker mechanism must be so made that when a circuit is broken the contact will be immediately reestablished. It also must be so constructed that when the circuit is broken the period of non-contact will continue for a sufficient time to permit the relay circuit to open.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings: in which,

Fig. l is a diagrammatic view in elevation of the apparatus embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a detailed view showing the operation of the breakers;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of one of the relays;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section on line 5 5 of Fig. 1:

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of a modified form of the invention; and

Fig. '7 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of Fig. 6.

Before explaining in detail the present invention it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrat- 3" ed in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, and it is not intended to limit the invention claimed herein beyond the requirements of the prior art. Referring to the drawings, in Figs. l to 5 there is shown at II a dial which will for convenience be referred to as the primary dial of a loi-metallic thermometer mounted on a suitable support. A pointer I2 is mounted on a shaft I3 to which is connected one end of a thermostat coil I4 which may be of any well known type for use in a bimetallic thermometer. The shaft I3 is rotatable on its axis by the coil as the coil coils or uncoils according to the changes in temperature and thereby turns the pointer I2 on its pivot to the right` or left to indicate the changed temperature f on the dial II.

A dial I5 which will be referred to as the secondary dial, preferably made on a much larger scale than the primary dial so that it can be read from a distance, is provided with a pointer I6 or other form of indicator mounted on a shaft II. Said dial I5 is graduated to show degrees of temperature to be indicated by the pointer I6.

This secondary pointer IB is controlled and actuated in its movement by suitable driving connection with the primary mechanism as will be hereinafter described and is preferably of much larger size than the primary pointer.

Before describing the means by which the primary mechanism actuates and controls the secondary driving mechanism, the secondary intermediate driving mechanism itself will be described. The large secondary pointer IE is mounted fast on the rocker shaft I'I on which is mounted fast a gear wheel I8 which is rotated or rocked on its axis forward or back according to changes in temperature by suitable intermediate gear connection with a pinion I9 mounted on shaft 20. The driving connections for pinion I9 itself will be more particularly described hereinafter.

The driving connection between pinion I9 and gear Wheel I8 is as follows: Pinion I9 engages with a gear 2| mounted on shaft 22 which carries a pinion 23. Said pinion 23 engages with a gear 24 mounted on shaft 25 which in turn carries a. pinion 26 which engages with gear I8.

The shaft 20 which carries pinion I9 has a driving connection with two electric motors 21 and 28, one of which is adapted to rotate the pinion I9 in a direction to cause the pointer I6 to move forward to indicate a rise in temperature and the other is adapted to rotate the pinion I9 in a reverse direction to cause the pointer to move backward to indicate a lowering of the temperature.

Normally while the temperature is stationary the pointers I2 and I5 are both stationary.

The shaft 20 and pinion I9 are moved only when the circuit through one of the motors 21, 28 is closed and this is controlled by the movement of the pointer I2 of the primary thermometer to close one of the circuits through one or the other of the two contact points 29 or 29a mounted on arm 3U of a U-shaped bracket. Said arm 3l) is of insulating material and extends up in front of the dial II but not in contact therewith and the other arm 30a extends up behind the dial but not in contact therewith. The pointer I6 is made fast to said rear arm 30a.

The pointer I2 is of metal or other electric conducting material and extends up through the opening between the two contact points 29, 29a and normally .is not in contact with either of them. Said contact points are fast to the bracket arm 3D.

With increase of temperature the pointer I2 will move to the right into Contact with the contact point 29a. With decrease of temperature the pointer will move to the left into contact with the contact point 29.

The secondary pointer i6 is normally stationary. When the temperature rises and the pointer I2 moves into contact with the contact point 29a it will close the circuit through the motor 23, and thereby through the connected mechanism cause the pointer I6 to move forward.

When the temperature falls the primary pointer I2 will swing to the left and make contact with the contact point 29 and close the circuit through the motor 21 and thereby, through the connecting mechanism, cause the pointer I5 to move backward. Pointer I2 is electrically connected, as by wire "IU, with a source of electricity not shown.

The shaft 20 passes ioosely through holes in the bracket plates 3'1 and 31a which are secured to the back face of the frame member 38 on which the secondary dial I5 is mounted. Plate 31 is spaced some distance back of plate 31a and is parallel therewith. Mounted on the said plate 3l is a contact bracket 4G having a projecting finger 48a. Said bracket 50 forms an electric terminal for one end of a wire conductor 4I. The wire 4I is connected at its other end with a binding post 42 carried by a plate 43 secured to the frame member 38. An elbow shaped contact member 44 which acte as a lever is pivoted intermediate its ends at 45 to plate il from which it is insulated. One arm 44a of said pivotcd contact member 44 is adapted to make and break contact with the member 40a. Said pivoted contact member 44 has electric connection through its pivot 45 with an electric wire 48 Whose other end is connected with the main electric circuit.

Mounted on the shaft 26 is a lever 4l of nonconducting material which after a certain degree of rotation of the shaft 2S will engage the free end of a spring 48 which is secured at its other end to a bracket 49 and thereby bend said spring downwardly. As soon as the lever 41 rides oi said spring the spring will y up and strike the underside of the outer end of the pivoted contact lever 44 and tip said lever on its pivot so that its contact arm which engages the Contact member 44a, will be thrown out ci contact with said member Mia and thereby temporarily open the circuit through which the secondary pointer i6 is moved and cause the said pointer I 6 to stop.

As soon as the lever 41 rides past the spring 48 and the said spring snaps back to its normal position .the pivoted contact lever 44 will again come into contact with the xed contact 4Go..

rI'he motor 28 is for the purpose ci controlling the mechanism which comes into play when the temperature rises and the pointers both move to the right. Said motor is electrically connected with the plate 4! as shown at the right hand portions of Figs. 1 and 2, as already described.

The motor 21 is for controlling the mechanism which comes into use when the temperature falls and the indicators turn to'the left. The several elements which come into play on the rising temperature have already been described. The several elements which specially come into play when the temperature falls are designated by numerals corresponding with those used in describing the rising temperature except by designating them respectively as 4Q. etc.

Mounted on the insulating plate 43 are two stationary electric contact points 59 and 5i which are adapted to be engaged respectively at certain times by the two contact points 52, 53 carried by the arms of a movable contact lever 54. Contact lever 54 is mounted on a holder plate 55 pivoted at 55a and which normally held back by a spring 55 so that the contact of points 55 and 5l with 52 and 53 respectively is broken (see Fig. 4). Fixed contact point ii is connected by wire 5'! with the main source of electricity.

Fixed contact point 5l has electric connection by wire 59 with post Si) thence by wire ci with one terminal of the motor 28 and having a branch wire 62 which leads to the terminal 29a.

A wire connects post 42 with the other terminal of the motor 28.

In operation, when the pointer i2 oi the thermometer engages the contact 29a, it closes the circuit. The current then flows from wire 5l", through wire lil, pointer i2, contact Zta, wires 62 and 6l and connection 'li to coil 'l2 of the relay and from this, through connection 73, contact 42, wires 63, 4| and through contacts fica and 44a of the break mechanism to wire The current also passes from tl to motor 28 and thence through wires 63 and 4l and contacts 43a and 44a to wire 46. This will energize the coil 'I2 of the relay and arm 54 will form contact at 5U, 52 and 5l, 53, thus forming a third path for the current as followsfrom wire 5? to contacts 52, 50 and 53, 5|, connection 59 to 5S, connection 'H to coil T2, connection 13, contact 42, wires G3 and 4l to contacts 40a and 44a of the break and thence to wire 46.

When this passage of current takes place, the motor 28 starts and through the train of gears moves the arm 3G, which carries contact 29a, in a clockwise direction, thus breaking its con'- tact with the pointer l2. But since the current has other paths, already described, to the motor 23, the motor 28 will keep rotating until the break mechanism operates and momentarily breaks the electric circuit, which happens when the thermostat pointer i2 is at or near the center between contacts 253 and 29a.

The momentary interruption of the circuit by the action of the break, will allow the spring 55 of the relay to break the circuit at points 50, 52 and 5I, 53, thus opening the entire control circuit, stopping the motor 28, and leaving the whole mechanism in position until arm l2 engages contact 29a again.

This description covers only the action of the mechanism and wiring for the clockwise movement of the thermostat pointer l2.

The mechanism and wiring for the anti-clockwise movement is a repetition of the first.

Il'he breaker arm 4'! which is attached to the control mechanism serves to break the circuits of both the motors which respectively control the forward and the reverse movement of the indicator.

So far as I am aware, the feature of mechanically moving the contacts 29 and 29a by means of a motor and gearing is new with me. They should be moved a definite distance, far enough to eliminate arcing at the contacts and so that the remote repeater can also be moved through a corresponding definite motion.

Preferably there is a relatively high gearing ratio between the motor and the mechanical movement required. As motors will revolve by momentum after the electric current is cut off, the movement required should not be dependent on the motor stopping at some exact number of turns after the current is out 01T, By my method, due to the reduction gearing which serves as a brake, the motor is caused to stop before the lever which causes the break has moved through more than a small part of its total movement. In my construction, if the motor overruns its usual stopping position on one cycle, it will underrun on other cycles. It would have.` to overrun equivalent to a complete eXtra cycle to create a permanent error and because of the reduction gearing this never can occur. Therefore, motors l" may be used which have only approximate uniformity of action.

In the modication shown in Figs. 6 and 7 the mechanism shown in the lower half of Fig. 6 is very similar to that shown in Figs. l to 5 except that there is a modified form of mechanism for opening and closing the circuit which controls the movement of the secondary pointer shown at the right and left portions of Fig. 3. This form is intended for use where it is desired to have the secondary dial located at a distance from the primary dial. The arm 41 serves to make the necessary contacts to start the motors. In its complete circuit it must make the contacts for the repeat motors and these contacts can be set at apart. The contact arm in making its circuit in a clockwise direction must only make an actual contact for the proper repeat motor and therefore the contact must be made so that the contact arm will operate the contact for the other circuit should be made only when the contact arm moves counterclockwise.

The arm 41 operates a metal slidable block 88 mounted on a base 8| of insulating material. The block 88 is formed with an elongated slot 82 and as the block is moved it is guided by the pins 83, 83 which project from the base 8| and engage in said slot 82. 'Ihe block 88 moves back and forth. This movement is accomplished by the dog 84 pivoted on a pin 85 carried by the block an.

A spring 86 is attached at one end to the dog 84 and at its other end to a pin 81 in the insulation base 8|. Said spring serves to retract the slide block 88 to the position shown in Fig. 'I and it 5 also serves to keep the dog 84 normally in the control device.

position shown.

A flat spring 88 is mounted fixedly near one end thereof on a terminal 89 secured to the base 8| and has on its free end a contact 98 which may be sprung so that the contact moves in an arc of a circle.

A flexible tape 92, preferably of braided copper, is fastened at one end at 93 to the sliding block 88 and is fastened at its other end to the terminal 93a attached to the base member 8|. This serves to carry electric current from a contact 94 mounted on the slide block 88 to the point 93 where it is connected to an electric circuit. The terminal 89 is also connected to the electric circuit.

'Ihe operation of this contactor is as follows: Assuming that the arm 41 is moving in a counterclockwise direction, it will strike the dog 84. As said dog is prevented from rotating in that direction in the block 88, said block will be caused to slide in the direction of the arrow shown on this block, thus making the two contacts 98 and 94 come together. 'Ihe block 88 will continue, thus bending the spring 88 until the point of the arm 41 clears the dog 84 when the block 88 will be retracted to the original position shown in the drawings.

For clockwise movement of the arm 41 the point of the arm will engage the dog 84. As the block 88 cannot move in the direction taken by the arm 41, the dog 84 will rotate about the pin until the point of the arm 41 clears the dog 84, after which the dog will resume the position shown in the drawings.

'I'he purpose of the contactor is to allow the arm 41 to rotate in either direction and to operate the contacts 98, 94 when the arm 41 operates in one direction only.

Two of these contacts will be required on this 'Ihese should be preferably placed apart in the path of the point of the arm 41. One of these contactors should be arranged to make the desired contact for clockwise rotation and the other contacter should be arranged to make the desired contact for counterclockwise rotation. In the upper part of Fig. 6 there is shown intermediate the primary and secondary dials, means for aiding the mechanism shown in the lower part of said gure to control and actuate' the secondary indicator when the secondary dial is located at considerable distance from the primary. There is also shown a modified form of secondary indicator.

In the upper portion of Fig. 6 the secondary indicator is shown as consisting of a pointer 288 carried by an endless chain 282 which is adapted to move to the right or left according to the rise and fall in temperature. Said pointer slides in an opening 283 under the dial shown at 284.

The chain is driven on two sprocket wheels or pulleys 285, 286, one at each end. These wheels are mounted respectively on shafts 281 and 288. Gear wheel 289 is adapted to be engaged by a gear wheel 2|| to rotate the gear 289 and therefore move the pointer 288 to the right, and gear 2|8 is adapted to be engaged by the gear 2|2 to move said pointer to the left. In the drawings said gears 2|| and 2 I2 are both shown out of engagement with the gears 289 and 2 I8, so that the pointer is at rest. Gear 2|| is pivoted at 2|3 on a rocker arm 2 I4 rotatably mounted on shaft 2 I5 of motor |26, the other end of said lever being pivoted to a slide rod 2|6 forming part of solenoid 2 |6a and which is normally held by a spring 2|1 in the position shown in Fig. 6 to keep the gear 2|| disengaged from the gear 289.

Gear 2|2 is mounted on an axle 2|8 carried by a rocker arm 2|9 rotatably mounted on shaft 228 of motor |26a, the other end of said lever being pivoted to a slide rod 22| forming part of a solenoid 22|a and is normally held by a spring 222 in the position shown in Fig. 6 to keep the gear 2|2 disengaged from gear 2|8.

Instead of a single lever 41 to act for both the rising and falling temperature, there are two such levers, namely 41a and 41h, one for the rising and one for the falling temperature. Lever 41a is mounted on shaft 2|5 on which rocker arm 2|4 is mounted and is operatively connected with gear 2|| by gear 223 on shaft 224 and in connection with pinion 225 on shaft 2|5.

Pinion 225a, gear 223a and gear 2|2 form driving connections between motor |26a and gear 2|8.

'Ihe operation of the modified form shown ln Fig. 6 is as follows:

When the motor 28 of the control mechanism is operating as previously described, contacts 94 and 98 are brought into engagement with each other by lever 41, thus momentarily closing the circuit of the repeating mechanism. The current will then flow from 46 through 46a to the contacts 48a and 44a of the break mechanism to wire 4|, contacts 58, 52 and 5|, 53, wire 388, contacts 98 and 94, wire 38|, binding post 382, connection 383, and coil 384; and from there through connections 385, binding post 386, wire 381 back to main wire 51. This will close the relay 388 which will cause the current to also pass from binding post 382 and through wire 389, contacts 3|8, 3||, 3|2 and 3|3 and wire 3|4 to contacts 3|5, 3I6 of the repeater breaker 3|1 and from there to main wire 46. Furthermore, the current will also pass from contacts 3 8, 3| through wires 3|8 and 3|8a to motor |26, to main wire 51 and from 3|8 to solenoid 2|6a, thence to 51 through wire 3 9.

The contact at 98, 94 is momentary, but once the relay 388 closes, it will remain closed until the circuit is broken at some other place than at 98, 94. This is accomplished at breaker 3|1, which is mechanically operated by lever 41a on shaft 2|5 of motor |26, and it occurs after motor |26 has operated gears 225, 223 and 2|| to obtain the movement of the pointer Zei) through its chain 202, sprocket 25 and gear 2l9. Gear 2li is brought in mesh with gear 2li@ when solenoid 2 Ilia is energized which happens at the same time 5 the motor 126 is started. When the circuit is broken, solenoid 2l6a is deenergized and spring 2H throws arm 2&4 and gear 2! l out of engagement with gear 209, thus allowing said gear sprocket 265 and chain 292 to move in the reverse direction when motor ia and the left side mechanism is in operation. The operatic-n oi this mechanism is identical with the right side one, consequently it does not need to be described.

It is desirable, though not essential, for the repeater mechanism to complete its function beu :fore the control mechanism completes its own function, so that if the control mechanism should. repeat its cycle the remote repeater will be able to also repeat its cycle immediately. This can be obtained by the proper selection of motor and gearing in the repeater.

I claim:

1. In combination, a movable member, a movable contact, a movable element normally positioned adjacent to and spaced from said contact, means for actuating said movable element and said contact in response to movement oi said movable member to cause said movable element to move an amount representative of the movement of said movable member and cause said contact to move an amount substantially equal to the movement of said movable member comprising two electrical circuits, one of said circuits including a switch, a motor and a normally closed circuit breaker, said circuits having a common portion including electrical means for actuating said switch, the other of said circuits including said movable member and said contact adapted to be engaged by movement of said member to close said circuit and actuate said electrical means to close said switch whereby the circuit containing said switch is maintained closed after said other circuit is opened by movement of said contact 45 away from said member, and a device actuated by said motor for opening said circuit breaker.

2. In combination, a pair of spaced contacts, a movable member normally positioned between said contacts, a movable element, means for actuating said movable element and said contacts in opposite directions to cause said movable element to move an amount representative of the movement of said movable member and cause said contacts to move an amount substantially equal to the movement of said movable member in response to movement of said movable member in opposite directions comprising two electrical systems each including a pair of electrical circuits, one oi the circuits of each pair including a switch, a motor and a normally closed circuit breaker, the circuits of each pair having a ccm-- mon portion including electrical means for actuating said switches, the other or" the circuits of each pair including said movable member and 65 one of said pair of contacts adapted to be engaged by movement or said member to close said circuit and actuate said electrical means to close said switch whereby the circuit containing the switch is maintained closed after the other circuit is opened by movement of said one Contact away from said member, and a device adapted to be actuated by either of said motors for opening said circuit breakers.

3. In combination, a movable member, a movable contact, a movable element, a pair of electrical circuits, one of said circuits including a switch, a motor and a normally closed circuit breaker, means actuated by said motor for moving said contact an amount substantially equal to the movement of said movable member, said circuits having a common portion including electrical means for actuating said switch, the other of said circuits including said movable member and said contact adapted to be engaged by movement of said member to close said circuit and actuate said electrical means to close said switch whereby the circuit containing said switch is maintained closed after said other circuit is opened by movement of said contact away from said member, a device actuated by said motor for opening said circuit breaker, means adapted to be actuated by said device for moving said movable element a predetermined amount.

4. In combination, a movable member, a movable contact, a movable element, a pair of electrical circuits, one of said circuits including a switch, a motor and a normally closed circuit breaker, means actuated by said motor for moving said contact an amount substantially equal to the movement of said movable member, said circuits having a common portion including electrical means for actuating said switch, the other of said circuits including said movable member and said contact adapted to be engaged by movement of said member to close said circuit and actuate said electrical means to close said switch whereby the circuit containing said switch is maintained closed after said other circuit is opened by movement of said contact away from said member, a device actuated by said motor for opening said circuit breaker, means for actuating said movable element including a pair of secondary electrical circuits, one of said secondary circuits including a secondary switch, a secondary motor and a secondary normally closed circuit breaker, said secondary circuits having a common portion including secondary electrical means for actuating said secondary switch, the other o1 said secondary circuits including a movable secondary contact, means tending to move said movable contact to open said other secondary circuit, said movable secondary contact being adapted to be engaged by said device to close said other secondary circuit and actuate said secondary electrical means to close said secondary switch whereby the circuit containing said switch is maintained closed after said other secondary circuit is opened by movement oi said secondary movable contact, and a secondary device actuated by said secondary motor for opening said secondary circuit breaker.

THOMAS D. ADAIR. 

